Foster Care Case Manager

State of Indiana - Terre Haute, IN

Full-time - Entry Level

Remote - Terre Haute, IN

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support

About the position

The Foster Care Case Manager serves as a foster family licensing worker within the Department of Child Services (DCS) in Indiana. This role focuses on improving foster care services for children by providing timely support related to foster care recruitment, licensing, and retention. The incumbent aims to decrease placement moves for children, enhance local placements, and support Family Case Managers in making placement determinations, ultimately striving for permanency for children and families through various means such as reunification and adoption.

Responsibilities

• Investigate reported incidents of child abuse, neglect, or dependency and determine if the incident is substantiated.
• Assess the level of risk to the child for additional injury or harm and may remove the child from the family if necessary.
• Perform needs assessments to determine treatment options for families and children reported to be abused or neglected.
• Testify and prepare pre-dispositional and progress reports, maintaining case files and developing briefing reports for the community child protection team.
• Develop case plans to assist families and children in becoming self-sufficient in a safe environment and ensure a permanent home for the child.
• Monitor and assess the service capability of treatment programs and providers to ensure consistency with the case plan.
• Conduct home studies, family histories, and recommend placements for adoption to an adoption team.
• Visit children in out-of-home placements to coordinate family reunification, adoption, or independent living efforts.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree; or an Associate degree with a minimum of two (2) years of human services job experience; or completion of thirty (30) college credit hours with a minimum of four (3) years of human services job experience; or a minimum of at least five (4) years of human services job experience.
• Advanced knowledge of principles and practices of social work, casework, sociology, and group and individual counseling.
• Thorough knowledge of state and/or federal laws, regulations, guidelines, and standards affecting child protection services, foster care, family preservation, and adoption.
• Ability to investigate and interview alleged victims and perpetrators of child abuse or neglect effectively.
• Ability to prepare clear, accurate reports and work with families of diverse cultural/ethnic backgrounds.

Nice-to-haves

• Specialized knowledge of the interrelationships of the various behavioral sciences as they affect care and treatment of patients/clients.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment while managing crisis situations.

Benefits

• Three medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans.
• Wellness Rewards Program with gift card rewards for completing wellness activities.
• Health savings account with bi-weekly state contributions.
• Flexible work scheduling options, including potential for hybrid remote work.
• Deferred compensation 457B account with employer match.
• Two fully-funded pension plan options.
• 150 hours of paid new parent leave.
• Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave.
• Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off.
• 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years.
• Education Reimbursement Program.
• Group life insurance.
• Referral Bonus program.
• Employee assistance program for covered behavioral health visits.